by Steve Dust, CEO, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber

5 on Friday is a two-way street: please send me recommendations on books, reports, articles, blogs, videos, or anything you’re reading or watching that impacts business and the economy.

 

ONE: Deere Prospectus

Manufacturing dominates the Cedar Valley economy. John Deere dominates Cedar Valley manufacturing in many ways. As a publicly traded firm, there is a great deal of information available about John Deere and its performance in the global market. Today, the company released its 2018 Proxy Statement. It is important reading even if I can’t say it’s fun reading. There are other informative documents published on the website.

Deere & Company, Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, January 12, 2018

TWO: MidAmerican Energy News

Many Cedar Valley businesses benefit from low electric and natural gas energy rates – both directly and through other utilities, and at high reliability levels – delivered by MidAmerican Energy. As you likely know, MidAmerican is part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which is, of course, part of Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett). There were big changes in top leadership at Berkshire Hathaway this week when Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s CEO Greg Abel was elevated to Vice-Chair of Berkshire Hathaway. Bill Fehrman, who many of you have met as CEO of MidAmerican Energy, has been elevated to CEO of Berkshire Energy, and Adam Wright is now CEO of MidAmerican Energy. We look forward to having a meeting of customers soon to meet the new leader of MidAmerican. Here’s info about Buffett naming Greg and another fellow as vice-chairs of Berkshire Hathaway.

Berkshire Hathaway Names Abel And Jain As Vice Chairmen As Buffett Succession Plans Sharpen, Antoine Gara, Forbes, January 10, 2018

Here’s a link to the MidAmerican Energy news release on Bill Fehrman and Adam Wright assuming new roles.

New Leadership for MidAmerican Energy Company, MidAmerican Energy News, January 11, 2018

THREE: Predictions for Manufacturing

Even the newest Cedar Valley resident knows that manufacturing plays a dominant role in our region’s economy. Courtesy of International Data Corporation (IDC) research firm, here are some high-level predictions for that sector well beyond 2018.

Top 10 Worldwide Manufacturing Predictions, Kimberly Knickle, IDC Community, November 8, 2017

FOUR: One More set of Predictions in Tech for 2018

The CEO of a tech support firm that helps business owners and leaders design technology adoption has set out a few one-year predictions, mostly on tech we already know about.

Top 10 Tech Trend Predictions For 2018 From A Tech CEO, Heinan Landa, Chief Executive, January 5, 2018

FIVE: When Should a CEO Tweet?

The nation’s CEO’s predilection to communicate via Twitter notwithstanding for a moment, there is always a question about when owners/CEOs/senior managers should use social media to communicate about controversy. Here’s some good guidance.

When Should a CEO Tweet about a Controversy? Strategy+Business, Eric J. McNulty, January 4, 2018